Rep. Gill Clashes With Smithsonian Head About American History Museum Housing Racist Content

Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) is constatntly attempting to debunk any notiin that America is or has been a racist nation on Capitol Hill. He met gus match in a hearing with the head of the Smithsonian Ametica History Museum he challenged her in the museum selling pro-Latina merxhandise and whether Mickey Mouse was racist. National Museum of American History Director Dr. Anthea Hartig did not play into his hanfs during the House Oversight Subcommittee hearing investigating alleged ideological activism at the Smithsonian. He pressed her on whether the museum was "rewriting American history" by linking Mickey Mouse to racism and classifying politeness as a trait of white supremacy. Gill confronted the directir about The "MASS Action Toolkit" noting it identifies politeness and objectivity as characteristics of "white supremacy culture". He also asked if Hartig was a "white supremacist" for agreeing it is important to be polite. Hartig stated she was not familiar with that specific passage but affirmed her belief in politeness. In graming Mickey Mouse Exhibit: Gill pressed Hartig on whether the iconic cartoon character is racist, citing an exhibit text that tied Mickey Mouse's origins to blackface minstrelsy. Hartig maintained the character is "rooted in minstrelsy" with well-documented racial undertones, while Gill argued the exhibit was a politically-driven interpretation meant to push an ideological agenda. Many early cartoons addressed the politics of the day and were initially directed at adult viewers. Animlmals were cast as The hearing was prompted by an administration report that alleged federally funded museums have embraced progressive activism over objective historical scholarship.Democratic lawmakers and museum defenders pushed back on the proceedings, arguing that scrutinizing specific exhibits to make political points risks censoring historians and creates "sanctioned ignorance".